Chapter 540: Peerless

Henan.

Yuzhou.

Wushuang City.

The city is as its name suggests; it is a majestic city without peer in the world.

Not only because its architecture is grand and it occupies a vast area, but also because its branch altars are spread across more than three hundred locations in Shenzhou, and its influence is extensive enough to rival the currently flourishing World Association.

Furthermore.

Wushuang City possesses a peerless legend—the Sword Saint.

Within Wushuang City, besides the City Lord Dugu Yifang and his family and sect members who reside there permanently, there are also a small number of local Yuzhou civilians living in the city, as well as traveling merchants.

Therefore, inside and outside the city gates, there are crowds of people shoulder to shoulder every day, an endless stream, bustling with activity.

However, many times, behind the bustle, there are also many strange things.

For instance, one thing that makes all the citizens of Wushuang City feel strange is that outside the gates of Wushuang City, there has always stood a huge iron pillar about three feet thick and over five zhang tall.

This iron pillar has endured wind and rain, standing firm all the while, silently watching the changing winds and clouds of Wushuang City for hundreds of years. Over so many years, there has been no lack of people who could not stand the sight of it and wanted to remove the obstructive iron pillar. But although the iron pillar looks ordinary, it is unknown what kind of strange iron it was cast from; even if a martial arts expert used their sharp weapon to strike it with all their might, they could not even leave a white mark on the iron pillar.

Yet, on the iron pillar, two characters about one foot in size are carved—Martial Saint.

These two characters are as vigorous as dragons and snakes, yet they faintly reveal a touch of grace.

It is as if someone had used their fingers to carve and write on the iron pillar, but even that Gang Leader Xiongba who swept through the martial arts world, I fear, would not possess this shocking level of skill.

Thus, people are even more curious about this iron pillar.

At this time, it was near dusk, and the setting sun was going down.

Many merchants traveling to Wushuang City for business had already ridden out of the city. And the guards stationed outside the Wushuang City gates were each fierce in expression, wearing sabers and carrying swords, clearly elites carefully selected by Dugu Yifang.

The gazes of the guards swept over the people entering and leaving Wushuang City; once they discovered anything unusual, they would immediately move to apprehend them.

And in a secluded forest fifty zhang away from the city gate, a person was watching that iron pillar.

"The 'Love of the Peerless City' is indeed a peerless technique. However, it requires the star power of either Nie Feng or Bu Jingyun to activate. Right now, the God of Wind and the Buku Shishen seem to still be little brats. After I conquer Wushuang City, I can make a trip to find Nie Feng and, by the way, take the Snow Drink Saber."

One could see this person in black robes, standing with his hands behind his back.

His appearance was handsome, and his aura was ethereal like smoke; if it is not Yu Liancheng, then who is it?

The world that this Stone Gate opened to is precisely the "Wind and Cloud" world.

Without a doubt, "Wind and Cloud" is an extremely brilliant world.

Experts are as numerous as clouds, God and Demon coexist, and there are also old monsters who have stayed in the world for thousands of years, quietly overlooking the winds and clouds of the human world.

And the numerous divine arts and unique skills are by no means inferior to any world before this.

Mohe Wuliang, Love of the Peerless City, Shift Heaven Divine Art, World-Destroying Demon Body, Sacred Heart Art, Sword Twenty-Three, Mysterious Yin Twelve Swords, and so on; in addition, there are the Four Great Divine Beasts and various divine weapons, which can be said to be a treasure vault.

The path of martial arts has developed to a peak in this world; even compared to many fantasy and mythological worlds, it is not inferior, making it a true golden age of martial arts.

Upon first arriving in this world, Yu Liancheng naturally wanted to choose a foothold, preferably becoming the leader of a force with a group of lackeys to handle things, which would make whatever he wants to do much easier.

In this world, if one were to say which is the most suitable, it is undoubtedly the World Association.

But the current Xiongba is in his destined period; whoever blocks him dies.

Even though Yu Liancheng learned many methods of the Qi Practitioner in "Snow Sword Stride," it is not impossible for him to crush or divert the Luck of destiny.

But it is too much trouble.

Therefore, Yu Liancheng chose Wushuang City, which is second only to the World Association.

Furthermore, Wushuang City also possesses that unique skill that exceeds the speed of light—the Love of the Peerless City.

With a flash of thought, Yu Liancheng had already silently crossed the city gate and arrived inside Wushuang City.

Although twilight had fallen, Wushuang City was also quite bustling; the restaurants and eateries on both sides of the street, as well as various shops and businesses, all had customers coming and going. But if one looked carefully, they would discover that most of those coming and going were burly men wearing the uniforms of Wushuang City guards and merchants who had not managed to leave the city in time. As for the ordinary civilians, most were in rags with gaunt faces.

Yu Liancheng shook his head.

Acting in such a way, how can one win the hearts of the people, and how can one contend with Xiongba of the World Association?

Of course, there is a reason why it is like this.

The real Dugu Yifang was a master of the sword. Many years ago, he was invited to observe the duel between Wuming and Pojun at the Sword Sect. At the moment when Pojun was about to be defeated, Pojun's father and Sword Sect leader Jian Hui froze the entire dueling ground, and Dugu Yifang, who was a spectator, naturally became an ice sculpture.

The one currently in charge of Wushuang City is a Stand of Dugu Yifang, whose true identity is a Human-Faced Envoy under Bu Baisuzhen.

Since it is not his own ancestral foundation, he naturally tosses it about at will, without any pity.

Yu Liancheng soon arrived at the center of Wushuang City.

Wushuang Mansion is located right here. Compared to the crude civilian dwellings in the city, Wushuang Mansion occupies a vast area and is furnished in a luxurious and exquisite manner, with flying eaves and arched beams, rockeries and flowing water, and even more countless elite guards protecting it.

In the study, a middle-aged man was reading a book.

This person has a broad forehead and deep eyes, with neat whiskers and beard, and his eyes flash with sharp light; the whole person carries an extraordinary, domineering air, and he is precisely the Wushuang City Lord Dugu Yifang.

"Xiongba!? This person is a born hegemon. Given time, I fear he will be able to dominate the martial arts world alone and achieve a peerless hegemony. By then, where will that leave my Wushuang City? Must I bow down and submit to this person? The matter entrusted by the Master,"

Dugu Yifang finished reading a scroll of secret techniques and pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh.

"Perhaps... I should ask my elder brother, the Sword Saint, to come out of seclusion."

Just as the fake Dugu Yifang was pondering, a black figure suddenly appeared before him, smiling down at him. And only after a moment did an ethereal voice slowly drift over.

"Since City Lord Dugu is so troubled, why not just give this position to me."

This person was far faster than his voice.

So when the person arrived, the voice only then slowly drifted over.

Such high-level light-body technique, it seems that looking across the entire martial arts world, besides his master Bu Baisuzhen and her few subordinates, they can be counted on one's fingers.

"Bold! Who are you?"

Dugu Yifang was shocked.

But he struck even faster.

His aura surged, and as the pages of the book fluttered, he pointed his fingers like a sword, the force between his fingers condensing into an invisible vortex, shooting toward Yu Liancheng.

——Unparalleled Divine Finger.

Wushuang City possesses three great ultimate techniques, which are the Unparalleled Divine Finger, the Unparalleled Sword Art, and the Dragon-Subduing Divine Leg.

Although the Dugu Yifang before him is a fake, this Unparalleled Divine Finger has been practiced quite impressively. Even the original Dugu Yifang might not necessarily be able to surpass him.

It is just a pity that the opponent Dugu Yifang faces is Yu Liancheng.

Before that powerful finger force could even reach Yu Liancheng, it dissipated into nothingness as he gently exhaled a breath.

Immediately following, Yu Liancheng swept his gaze across, with seven colors flowing within.

Boom!

The moment Dugu Yifang's gaze met his opponent's, he was instantly struck by a terrifying sensation of being pierced by ten thousand arrows; his entire body felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar, chilled from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The consciousness in his mind felt as if it had been struck and shattered by a bolt of lightning, leaving his brain a complete blank.

A moment later, Dugu Yifang's face turned pale, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

His figure was swaying precariously, but he bit his tongue hard, suddenly regaining a measure of clarity.

Terror filled his heart; to injure someone with just a look is almost comparable to the Heart-Losing Crossing of his master, Bu Baisuzhen. He is a peerless expert who cannot be opposed by force.

But the next moment, a sense of alarm surged in Dugu Yifang's heart, and an indescribable feeling of crisis welled up.

He saw the man in black opposite him raise his hand and press down lightly, without carrying even a shred of True Qi.

Yet Dugu Yifang suddenly felt as if Mount Tai were pressing down on his head; a massive pressure descended from the sky, pouring onto his physical body without reservation.

Instantly, the bones throughout his body creaked, and in a split second, he was pressed to the ground like a dead dog, his entire body nearly turning into a puddle of flesh under this pressure.

Fortunately, this pressure came quickly and went just as quickly.

After three or four breaths, that pressure suddenly vanished.

It came from beyond the heavens and departed beyond the heavens.

The fake Dugu Yifang gasped for air, his eyes revealing a look of deep fear.

From the moment the opponent appeared to the moment he was easily subdued and nearly pressed into a puddle of flesh, from beginning to end, the opponent had only blinked and struck the air once.

With this level of ability alone, in all the world, I fear only his master, Bu Baisuzhen, who is like a god and a demon, could contend with him.

"You, what exactly do you want to do?"

Dugu Yifang gasped for a long while before slowly climbing to his feet.

Meanwhile, Yu Liancheng was sitting in his previous seat, casually pulling a book from the shelf.

"Fool, didn't I already tell you? From this day forward, I am the City Lord of this Wushuang City."

Yu Liancheng flipped through the book in his hand, and when he saw the four characters on the cover, he couldn't help but chuckle, because this book was called "Tathagata Palm".

It is a pity that while this "Tathagata Palm" can be considered a first-class palm technique, it is far too inferior when compared to the palm techniques Yu Liancheng practices.

"Wushuang City... is the ancestral foundation of my Dugu Family, how, how can it be handed over to others..." Dugu Yifang lowered his head, seemingly afraid to look at Yu Liancheng, but his expression was terrifyingly sinister.

However, the next moment, Dugu Yifang's face changed drastically.

Because Yu Liancheng said that one sentence.

"Stop spouting nonsense; you are nothing but a fake, and you actually think you are Dugu Yifang."

The fake Dugu Yifang's pupils shook violently, and he abruptly raised his head: "You, what are you spouting?"

He never imagined that in this world, besides his master and the real Dugu Yifang, there would be someone else who knew his identity; he suddenly felt as if he were completely naked, with everything seen through.

"Since you can be a dog for others, why can't you be a dog for me?" Yu Liancheng looked at Dugu Yifang, a trace of coldness appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Or perhaps, I have been too kind, making you think I am easy to talk to."

A chill began to spread through the air.

Crack, crack—shards of crystalline ice condensed in front of Yu Liancheng. Following the slight movement of his intent, they hissed and shot forth, instantly enveloping the fake Dugu Yifang.

The fake Dugu Yifang had been watching Yu Liancheng's every move.

Seeing the sky full of ice crystals flying toward him, he immediately surged his energy; the Sword hanging on the wall was pulled as if by an invisible hand, and with a "clang," it transformed into a stunning sword light, flying into his palm.

The fake Dugu Yifang let out a sharp shout, his wrist turning as the sword light flowed, executing the Unparalleled Sword Art; the sword light poured down like mercury, covering his entire body and shattering the ice crystals one by one.

But those seemingly thin ice crystals were no small matter; each one seemed to carry the force of ten million jun, making the webbing between the fake Dugu Yifang's thumb and forefinger feel as if it were splitting, his arms aching, and the Qi and Blood throughout his body surging in shock.

After only two or three breaths, a gap appeared in the sword net, and an ice crystal struck the fake Dugu Yifang's body; the moment it touched his skin, it instantly dissolved, like a drop of water entering a river.

The next moment, an intense, strange itch and pain erupted, surging up like a tide, one wave higher than the last.

Even though this fake Dugu Yifang prided himself on being a peerless hero, he still could not endure this pain and itch, which felt like ten thousand ants gnawing at him, and he immediately collapsed to the ground. Although he gritted his teeth to avoid letting out screams or wails, he was already covered in cold sweat, his face twisted.

"This thing is called the Life and Death Talisman; I learned it a long time ago. It is merely the transformation between the two Qi of life and death. The one I just hit you with is a strengthened version. Originally it was just the two Qi of life and death, but now I can casually strike with forty or fifty different types of True Qi." Yu Liancheng wore a smile, as if speaking to the fake Dugu Yifang, or perhaps talking to himself.

"Those who are first struck by the Life and Death Talisman will feel the wound becoming increasingly itchy, growing more severe day by day, with the strange itch and intense pain increasing for eighty-one days. Afterward, it gradually subsides, only to increase again after eighty-one days, repeating in a cycle without end. It makes people wish for death but unable to die, hence it is called the Life and Death Talisman. Enjoy it well."

Yu Liancheng rested his chin on his hand, watching the trembling fake Dugu Yifang below. The latter's face was twisted, and he kept scratching his body with his hands, first scratching out red marks, then tearing the skin and flesh, and finally becoming a bloody mess, a sight too horrible to look at.

The reason he sought out this person was not only because of Wushuang City, but also because the fake Dugu is linked to two major figures.

First, the Sword Saint Dugu Jian.

Since being defeated by the Martial Arts Myth Wuming, the whereabouts of the Sword Saint Dugu Jian have been unknown. And the Sword Saint's Holy Spirit Sword Art is infinitely profound, especially that as-yet-uncreated Sword Twenty-Three, which is almost a strengthened version of the Fifteenth Change of the Death-Defying Thirteen Swords; once unleashed, it can freeze all things in time and space.

Second, the Mo Zhu Bu Baisuzhen.

Bu Baisuzhen is the master of the fake Dugu Yifang, possessing two great divine arts, the World-Destroying Demon Body and the Heaven-Shifting Divine Art, along with the Six Great Demon Crossings; especially the final move, the Immeasurable Crossing, which involves the most incredible "Immeasurable Maha" of the Wind and Cloud world.

Yu Liancheng intends to use the fake Dugu Yifang to lure these two out.

If they cannot be lured out, then Yu Liancheng will have to go and pay a visit himself.

As for whether those two can undo the Life and Death Talisman, Yu Liancheng does not really care.

After all, this method of controlling people is ultimately a lesser path, and as long as those two can be lured out, it does not matter whether this fake Dugu Yifang lives or dies.

"Spare, spare my life." Dugu Yifang finally began to beg, his whole body shaking incessantly. When this Life and Death Talisman acts up, it truly makes life worse than death.

"Very good, those who know the times are heroes."

Yu Liancheng chuckled.

With a flick of his finger, he temporarily lifted the Life and Death Talisman from Dugu Yifang.

"From now on, I am the Lord of this Wushuang."